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Atlanta Braves Morning Chop: Winter Meetings Day 3 rumors…emerging targets

By Alan Carpenter

LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 30: Guests play slot machines on the casino floor at the Riviera Hotel & Casino on April 30, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority purchased the 60-year old property on the Las Vegas Strip for USD 182.5 million and plans to demolish it to make room for more convention space as part of its USD 2.3 billion Las Vegas Global Business District project. The hotel will close on May 4. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NV - APRIL 30: Guests play slot machines on the casino floor at the Riviera Hotel & Casino on April 30, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority purchased the 60-year old property on the Las Vegas Strip for USD 182.5 million and plans to demolish it to make room for more convention space as part of its USD 2.3 billion Las Vegas Global Business District project. The hotel will close on May 4. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – JULY 27: Nicholas Castellanos #9 of the Detroit Tigers hits a RBI double in the third inning in front of Yan Gomes #7 of the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park on July 27, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – JULY 27: Nicholas Castellanos #9 of the Detroit Tigers hits a RBI double in the third inning in front of Yan Gomes #7 of the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park on July 27, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Nick Castellanos

WHY:  To fill a need in right field.

WHAT HE BRINGS:  a big bat that’s poised to break out.  49 homers in last 2 seasons while slugging nearly .500… in fact, he could be close to a .300/.400/.500 player, which is fairly rare in this game.

DOWNSIDE:  his defensive skills thanks to having no range whatsoever.  Among the worst for outfielders in baseball (worst total defense score of all qualified players in 2018).

UPSIDE:  3.0 fWAR in 2018 despite terrible defensive scoring.  Entering his age 27 season.

CONTROL:  Just 1 more season; thus this is his Year 3 arbitration season coming up.

SALARY:  Made $6.05 million in 2018; scheduled for $11.3 million this coming year.

THE QUOTE:

Atlanta was also linked today to a report from Dave O’Brien that they might also be willing to offer a deal to A.J. Pollock, the free agent former Arizona outfielder.

Pollock turned down a Qualifying Offer provision, which will require his next team to forfeit their 3rd overall (2nd round) draft pick next June.  The report indicates that Atlanta is fully aware of the rule and would be willing to do so if things work out in that direction.

It is most likely that Atlanta would only entertain one new outfielder (unless something strange happens with Ender Inciarte), so it could be a choice between Castellanos and Pollock.

The other possibility would be that Pollock might become ‘the target’ should other deals take away more prospects than had been planned… and Pollock costs ‘only’ money (and the future draft pick).

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